COLUMBUS – Innovation Ohio, a progressive think tank headquartered in Columbus, today released the results of a poll showing that large majorities of Ohioans disagree with many of Gov. John Kasich’s key policy and budget proposals.

Among the poll’s key findings are:

• 60% of Ohioans say public schools need more state funding to improve; 59% say Ohio is doing too little to improve the quality of public education
• 62% say helping localities fund schools, fire and police is more important to them than reducing the state income tax
• 62% favor raising Ohio’s severance tax on oil and natural gas to the Texas rate —and using the money to offset state budget cuts to local governments
• 74% favor a plan to create tax incentives for energy companies to hire Ohio workers
• 57% oppose borrowing against future Ohio Turnpike tolls in order to fund road, bridge and other infrastructure projects now

Said IO President Janetta King:

“With Gov. Kasich poised to deliver his State of the State address next week – and the Ohio General Assembly beginning its consideration of the Governor’s policy and budget proposals – we believe it’s important to know what regular Ohioans think. And, whether the issue is taxes, school funding, ‘fracking’, or the Ohio Turnpike, it’s clear that most Ohioans simply don’t agree with their Governor. Innovation Ohio stands ready to assist our elected office-holders in crafting policies more in tune with what Ohioans want.”

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